ABB kit makes switchgear upgrades simpler, faster and smarter

25 August 2016

ABB launched upgrade kits that keep old electrical systems working longer and connect them to cloud-based energy management, supervision and diagnostics functions.

The kits directly replace older Megamax breakers approaching the end of their working life with intelligent Emax2 circuit breakers, while retaining the original switchboard.

Massimo Paganoni, global service manager of ABB’s Protection and Connection business, said: “ABB believes energy management should be simple and that innovation needs to add value to our customers. Upgrading old switchgear installations can reduce servicing and energy costs for many thousands of site owners and facility managers around the world. This kit enables ABB Megamax to be replaced with a new intelligent, connected Emax2 breaker in less than 30 minutes. This is a reduction of 90 percent in installation time versus the traditional retrofit solution – the Hard Bus RetroFill.”

By also adding ABB’s Ekip SmartVision plug-in, old electrical switchgear can connect to the Internet of Things, Services and People. Ekip SmartVision increases reliability and can boost energy savings by up to 30 percent by combining the connectivity and sensing capabilities of Emax2 circuit breakers with a cloud platform. Power consumption, costs and electrical behaviour are continuously monitored and analysed and users receive actionable information for quick, easy implementation.